Starting Solids

So we are at the point where we have been given the go ahead by the pediatrician to start solids.  The big milestone! As I mentioned in my 7 month letter to Greta, we tried her out on cereal the other day but I'm still torn as whether this is the direction I want to go with solids.

             

I've read about and researched Baby Led Weaning (put simply, baby self-feeds) and it really appeals to me from a developmental standpoint; eating when they are physically ready to do so, as well from a sensory perspective; in allowing babies to be exposed to a multitude of textures and tastes from the very start.  I also love it because it is so much less work (yah, call me lazy that I don't want to make baby food) and can help to avoid Greta being a really picky eater in the future.  As much as it really appeals to me, I have to keep in mind that she is a preemie, and the fact that she did not go to term she does not have the nutrient stores that other babies do.  The pediatrician suggested we start solids sooner than later because her iron stores will begin to get low soon - although she has been getting vitamin supplements since coming home from the NICU.

I tried her on cereal to start in order to how she reacted, if it was a struggle and she refused I decided that we would wait a few weeks and go from there.  Her first experience was neither good nor bad, she didn't refuse the spoon, nor was she overly thrilled with in either.  We let her play with the spoon and bowl for a bit and she had some fun sucking her fingers and trying to put the spoon in her mouth.  This experience showed me that she is interested in food, which is what BLW principles indicate would be a good time to start. But, she is only gestationally 5 months - and they say to start at 6 or later.  We tried her for a second time on solids (spoon-feeding) and this time she was very interested mouth opening and happy - again another sign that she is potentially ready.

So I have decided to do a bit of both. I know if you read a lot of the BLW information they say that strictly BLW is better, but I have to do what is going to work for us - which I believe is a mixture of both.  I am going to start introducing her to finger foods to see how she does and interacts with the food, but I am also going to spoon-feed her (high iron foods), although I believe that I am going to do it only once a day while maintaining on demand breastfeeding.  If she seems to respond well to the finger food then I will hold off on increasing the number of spoon feed per day and try attempt BLW if she seems developmentally ready.  I'm hoping that mixing the two methods will work ok, and not be detrimental to the benefits I'm hoping to achieve from BLW.  As a parent you have to do what works for you and your baby right? and although I would love to strictly BLW it may not be the right move for Greta and her needs.

Here's to hoping it goes well!  How did you introduce solids? Anyone have experence with BLW or partial BLW ? Would love to hear from you!